Friday, May 11, 2007

Tigers Keep Rolling Versus Twins

The Tigers played their first game of 2007 in the unfriendly Metrodome tonight and it was Mike Maroth versus Johan Santana. This didn't look like a good matchup for the Tigers but, with the way this team is playing right now, it didn't matter. Maroth pitched well and the offense continued to pound the ball as the Tigers beat the Twins 7-3. It was their 10th win in their last 11 games.

Maroth allowed 9 hits in 6 2/3 innings tonight but allowed only one first inning run thanks to good control - he walked nobody. The bullpen was a little shaky especially Fernando Rodney, who gave up a 2 run homer in the 8th, but they were good enough to hold the lead.

The team has been winning games more with hitting than pitching lately and tonight was no exception. They battered Santana and 4 relievers for 13 hits and 5 more extra base hits. Only Ivan Rodriguez and Magglio Ordonez went hitless and Ordonez had 2 walks. Gary Sheffield had a home run and 2 singles and Carlos guillen had a home run, a triple and a single to lead the way.

As the chart below shows, the Tigers have scored 71 runs (or 6.5 runs per game) during their 11 game stretch of winning. They have batted a robust .320/.378/.568 and have been especcially proficient at getting extra base hits with 52.

AB

R

2B

3B

HR

BA

OBP

SLG

384

71

27

7

18

.320

.378

.568


Game two of the series will feature Chad Durbin against Sidney Ponson tomorrow afternoon. We can probably expect some hitting on both sides in that one but right now the Tigers are on one of those streaks where you expect them to find a way to win.

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